Your
feelings

You may find that coping with cancer and chemotherapy can sometimes make you feel anxious, afraid or even depressed.

Sometimes these feelings can be triggered by things like having to change your daily routine to fit in with chemotherapy. Or it may be something more obvious like a particular side effect or the risk of infertility. It’s natural to have these feelings during your treatment.

Everyone needs some support during difficult times and having cancer is one of the most stressful situations you’re likely to face. It’s often helpful to talk over your feelings with your family or close friends.

You can also talk to your doctor, specialist nurse or a social worker about how you’re feeling. It’s important to let them know if you’re struggling or think you may be depressed. They can arrange more support or refer you to a counsellor or doctor who specialises in emotional problems of people with cancer. They may also prescribe an antidepressant or anti-anxiety drug for you.

Our information on the emotional effects of cancer may help you cope with your feelings and emotions.

Thanks

We rely on a number of sources to gather evidence for our information. If you’d like further information on the sources we use, please feel free to contact us on: bookletfeedback@macmillan.org.uk

All our information is reviewed by cancer or other relevant professionals to ensure that it’s accurate and reflects the best evidence available. We thank all those people who have provided expert review for the information on this page.

Our information is also reviewed by people affected by cancer to ensure it is as relevant and accessible as possible. Thank you to all those people who reviewed what you're reading and have helped our information to develop.

You could help us too when you join our Cancer Voices Network – find out more at: http://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancervoices

We make every effort to ensure that the information we provide is accurate and up-to-date but it should not be relied upon as a substitute for specialist professional advice tailored to your situation. So far as is permitted by law, Macmillan does not accept liability in relation to the use of any information contained in this publication or third party information or websites included or referred to in it.